An age of Demons(open)

[Deleted]

Bacchus had been scouring every inch of the lands for a clue to where his brother had ran off to. Last he had checked he was held captive within the Brigade by a determined Commander Bacchus soon found to be much more than he appeared. However when Bacchus went back to take his brother for himself it had seemed Sedaiyus had cleverly slipped away. This was not something that should have surprised Bacchus but given where he was being held, it did. It would seem his brother was more worthy of their bloodline than he had realized even for a half breed. Bacchus had hoped to find and capture Sedaiyus and present him to their mother when the time came to bring her to this world however the tracks leading to anywhere successful grew colder with each passing season. This brought him to his next problem, their mother. She wasn't in this world he knew that, her power and influence was too great to be concealed and unnoticed. So was she on another plane somewhere or was she too trapt in hell waiting for a opportunity as well? Time would tell, but at this time, he had to begin preparing this world for her and prove his worth. He would show her he was worthy of her recognition and would not be cast aside so easily.

Ah the forest of Sylthanus, eerie as ever, and remarkably similar to how he remembered them hundreds of years ago. It was comforting to see not all things had changed in this world, a trait he admired about vampires. His brother had been here before but for what purpose? Surely Sedaiyus was not powerful nor clever enough to meddle in the affairs of the royal cast leading the vampires, could he have? Perhaps just some fun and trouble around the borders? It was hard to say with Sedaiyus, a trait he disliked greatly in his brother, such unpredictability and impulse lead his brother instead of logic and careful thought to actions. Bacchus was walking casual carefully observing the near faded energies his brother left behind. They would not last much longer, of that he was certain, but more troubling than that Bacchus felt as though he wasn't alone. It was understandable though, though Bacchus felt like everything around him was his, he knew the vampires understood this place was their home and here, he was the outsider. Bacchus could be something of a site to see however, especially around here, in this place, certainly out of place. He was naturally very beautiful and attractive, even more so than Sedaiyus, he was after all desire incarnate.

He could be allot to take in the first time one saw Bacchus. Though not as prideful to admit as Sedaiyus, he was depicted as a naturally very blandiloquent man. He had evocative alluring ocean blue eyes that seemed to sparkle in the light, almost hypnotic and entrancing if one let themselves go to the near enticing appeal. His body was was near flawless, well toned, muscular in a swimmers kind of build, yet not too buff or burly holding onto great masculinity without giving up many elegant features more akin to a woman. No doubt bringing cynosure to many men who idolized such a figure. His skin was always well blended and tanned just right, not too light but far from bronzed. His skin itself was silk like, soft to the touch, never rough despite how active he was in athleticism and combat. There was a gentleness to his touch, fairly graceful in fact in his movement, always with purpose and calculated. At the same time it was apparent he held great strength and security about him, illuminated with self confidence. He had a nice smile, a smile that could lighten up the night sky itself, light hearted and carefree. Even his soft and mellifluous voice was something to behold easily soothing and warming. Bacchus wore a long trench coat to cover his body appropriately, though what was underneath could certainly be assumed was as little as possible, one pet peeve Bacchus shared with his brother.

[Vlad Drăculea]

Snap!

A broken twig signalled their position - the humans fleeing in terror as they realized they had gone too far into the petrified woods. The sound of three sets of boots hitting the ground was obvious to those who could hear it - and while she had lost the keen sense of hearing she still knew exactly where they were. The embodiment of death knew exactly where she had to be in order to collect their souls - it was an inherant feeling that she could not banish.

As they thought themselves free - that they had somehow lost her - a wisp of black smoke appeared. The black smoke was then filled with white smoke in the image of a skull - before a woman would materialize out of the wisp of smoke. In her presence they grew restless on the inside - but deathly still as if they were petrified like the trees around them. They knew there was no escape - not this time - and for their mettling they would pay the ultimate price.

"Please, we meant no harm! We simply wandered too far in the wrong direction. Please, just let my family go!" said the male who led this family of of three into oblivion. The Lady of Nightmares was silent as she stood there - judging them to see if they were truly ready for their deaths. Scanning them slowly - her conclusion was that only the mother was marked for death - but that didn't mean that she couldn't have some fun with it.

"If you wish to make a deal with me - all you had to do was ask from the beginning." she said - tilting her head and smiling at the couple with their child. Of course no good ever came of making a deal with death - yet no man ever seemed able to resist the temptation of being granted all his wishes and desires. "If you but offer me your souls in exchange - I will gladly make your wishes come true." she said, smirking as she gave them time to think it over. Most mortals were gulliable - there was no way they would ever be able to pass up such an opportunity.

The immediate response was not a yes - more like a bunch of low yelps while they pondered their situation. In the end though greed won out - the human desire to have more than one needed. It was through this that Virulia managed to bind their souls to her - she had every right now to control when she took them and she would make sure it was just as all of their dreams fell into place. That was the cruel nature of death - it struck without warning or reason.

[Deleted]

Bacchus hadn't been thinking too much longer than a helpless cry was heard. Bacchus sensed the amiss feeling of prey being hunted. With swift and inhuman speeds he raced towards the source. He soon felt the change of life force and quelling of desires. Interesting enough, that was usually his forte. Upon his arrival Bacchus slowed to a steady and casual walk. He came upon a terrified group of humans and what he thought to be a vampire but her life force was much different and she seemed to be more alive than a vampire though that wasn't really saying much. More so the means he was using to track any energy trace left by his brother was found around her, it was soon to fade which indicated she had encountered him around the same time his last visit to this forest was made. Bacchus looked to the dark lady with a charming grin on his face. "All play and no work in the lands of vampire I see. Has anything changed here at all?" Bacchus looked around as if to reassure himself nothing really had but his moon lit blue eyes sparked as they gazed back upon the dark lady. "Well there is you. You are new, I know that, and unique."

Bacchus bowed slightly his eyes never leaving hers as he introduced himself "My name is Bacchus and you already know the honor is all mine to be in the presence of such elegance and...." Bacchus paused slightly as he looked at the frightful humans who seemed to be easing back into their baring. "Cunning it would seem." Bacchus raised a brow towards the humans as he stood straight up. He had no doubt noticed that the humans had changed their demeanor as if they had escaped some perilous danger. Even without knowing the situation completely, Bacchus knew that they could never of been more wrong. Bacchus turned back to the deathly lady "I couldn't help but notice you have stumbled upon something of value to me in your past. A man, charming, bold, charismatic, probably a bit eccentric. Not a man though, something else, supernatural, he would have offered you something you desired in what would appear to be nothing more than to amuse himself and serve you. His name is Sedaiyus and he is my long lost brother that I ever so hope to be reunited with. It would please me greatly if you had any information on where you last saw him, where he was headed, and what exactly he was doing here." Bacchus said in a soft and mellifluous tone, his manner quite calm and polite.

[Vlad Drăculea]

Just when she thought she was finished with intruders - another man seemed to come out of nowhere. Yet this one was different somehow - he did not carry himself as if he was one of the sheep. There was a strange gleam in her eyes as if she was suddenly interested in the man - though her reason for being interested was unknown at the time. It was strange returning to these lands - in this body- after having been alone for so long. She was still getting used to all of iit - the strange things she thought and felt at times. Yet here she was - faced with a man who's appearance was specially crafted to enchant the senses and confuse you.

"Begone.." she said to the humans as she waved a hand at them. When they returned to their homes they would find that all they desired was theirs. Turning to look directly at the man now - her silver eyes would seem to pierce into him as if they were searching for something. This was a situation she was never prepared to deal with - something she had never learned from either of her parents since she was usually holed up in the castle as a princess when she was a child. "Flattery will get you everywhere." she replied calmly - smirking at him for only a moment before her expression melted back into her usually passive gaze. Of course the flattery was leading somewhere - perhaps down a road she didn't wish to go.

Sedaiyus

Even though she was a small girl when she met him - Sedaiyus was the only person who treated her like she mattered. He was the only person aside from her mother to not be repulsed by the hybrid - to see her as a freak or unworthy of her title. Sedaiyus had shown her things that no one else could - the world really as they travelled the Werewolf lands. It was because of this that she had even developed a small crush on him as a girl - though now she was much more mature she began to wonder a bit about what happened to him. What did this man want with Sedaiyus? Was he the reason that he was acting so cryptic before they were seperated? She needed answers to these questions now that they had come up.

"What exactly do you want with him?" she asked - her tone very calm though she was prepared to make him leave. If he thought to harm Sed - there was no way that she was going to let that happen. It felt strange to think such a thing - but she had grown fond of him in some ways and thanks to those adventures he would have death at his back. "I imagine if you cannot find him there is a reason to that Bacchus." she said cooly - holding her position on the matter. She knew that he was not going to just give up and leave however.

"If you can explain to me what you want with him - I may divulge more about him if I am satisfied." she said.

[Deleted]

Bacchus took a few steps to the right but kept the same distance to the woman he was speaking to. He shoved his hands in his pocket and grinned as he realized that he was not wrong about Sedaiyus being here and with this woman before him, but it seemed as though his brothers influence was more than just a simple run it, clever boy. Bacchus had to admit he rarely gave Sedaiyus enough credit being an impure failure that he was, but he would have to stop doing that if he had any hopes of catching him. "You don't seem like the type that I should lie to, compelling and allure will do me no good here I presume. So here is a bit of truth, I don't really want anything to do with him to be honest. Sedaiyus has been a selfish dissappointment since the day her was born and I care little for him personally. However my wishes for my brother do not matter. Our mother wishes for a reunion and I will not deny her that. I am to ensure his safety and make certain that he does not run away from home again. He is a couple centuries old but he most certainly is still but a child, he knows nothing, and its going to get him killed."

Bacchus grinned and eyes the woman over seductively. "I can see his influence has befallen on you. I am sure even then he saw deep within you what I do now. Through the veil of darkness great beauty and perfection. He sometimes could surprise me with his cunning I will admit, always could see the ones that truly mattered in this world even before they themselves did. But do not be fooled, you were always just a tool and instrument for this very situation right here, he never saw you as anything else believe me, though I am sure thats not how he made you feel of course. He made you feel special, like you mattered, offered you things you couldn't get for yourself right? Was a game at best I am afraid, im sorry. To be fair it isn't really his fault, its in his nature. But you have indeed met him. You know what he is like, impulsive, lives in the moment, rarely taking anything seriously. You think you are protecting him? You are going to end up getting him killed."

Bacchus took his hands out of his pockets and placed him at his side. "That kind of behavior tends to leave a person making mistakes and sooner or later, he is going to make a mistake. You think you need to protect him from me? My little brother has marked himself as a prime target of the Brigade. I am sure you know of their resources, one small slip up and they will find him. But they are not the only ones he has crossed. It would seem a covenant of witches have an open grudge against him for breaking their pathetic little hearts. I have found out he had stirred up a bit of trouble in a popular tavern in the werewolfs territory as well, allot of wolves seem to remember him, none of which seemed to have very good things to say. And of course there is the demon that seeks to claim him before I do. He too wants to obtain him to please my mother but I promise you he will not be as delicate as I will be."

Bacchus sighed faintly and had shifted his tone to a more understanding manner. "My brother can be charming I know. There is no doubt that what ever alterior motives he had for you, there were also some genuine considerations towards you as well. But it doesn't matter how powerful you are or I am, we cannot protect him from himself, he will slip up and it will get him killed. I need to get him home where he belongs, where he will be safe. Playtime is over for him and he needs to realize this. So for his sake, tell me the last place you saw him, if you knew where he was going afterwards, and what he was doing with you besides obviously filling your head with delusions that he actually cared at all about you or anything you wanted and we can both be on our way. And try to remember, Sedaiyus isn't a man, he is a child, and every child needs their mother. You want to help him, I can see it in your eyes, and this is how you can do that." His voice was dulcet and sweetly sounding. His appealing charm was apparent as Sedaiyus's though much more controlled where Sedaiyus toyed for fun, Bacchus always had purpose.

[Vlad Drăculea]

What a claim this man presented - a claim that he only wished to bring his brother back home. If that was the case why did Sed run away to begin with? There had to be a reason for it - something this man was leaving out of the story he was weaving. There wasn't much reason going through her mind right now on the subject - her childhood crush had become somewhat more in her head even if she never really realized it. She tried picture what the mother of such men must be like - but she could come up with nothing that she figured was the truth. They were both beautiful - hauntingly so - and she had no idea what sort of creature could produce men like this.

There was a slight blush when he pointed out how she was feeling about Sed right now. Virulia grew angry at the fact that he seemed to think he knew her at all - or perhaps it was the fact that he was right about it. Sed had left an impact on her - one that she let slowly develop into what she thought was love though it was most likely one sided from what Bacchus told her. Was this a grand web of lies he was spinning here - or was his brother just another user? With a repulsed look on her face the goddess balled her fist and put on a deadly glare that said that he should stop talking.

"He wouldn't do that to me he was my friend." she said aloud - though the seeds of doubt were starting to creep into her mind. She was already broken and quite unstable so if he didn't choose his words carefully she might be added to the list of Sed's problems. "He cared for me. Showed me the world when others would not even acknowledge me for what I was." she said - advancing a few steps as if she was going to strike him but then stopped herself. This was basically her childhood - what every young vampire had done to her when they wanted something they could not obtain for themselves.

Every child needed a mother? Virulia's body shook with laugh at that statement - she could not help herself but be amused by it. "No child needs a mother. Parents let you down and leave you to suffer alone." she spat - clearly there was some baggage there. "If what you say is true then I will go to him and I will extract the truth." she said - being cautious. It didn't occur to her that she might have just told him that she knew how to find him - or at least she believed that she did anyhow. There seemed to be more she wanted to say but she was hesitant at first. Some questions were better left unasked - yet she was about to ask anyhow.

"Why exactly does the Brigade want him? What did he do?" she demanded - wondering if there was any way she could help him. It was a strange feeling she did not understand - but until Bacchus could prove his words she would do anything to help Sedaiyus escape those who persued him. "If I do this you need to promise me that no harm will come to him. I trust him and him alone.." she said.

[Deleted]

Bacchus could see his influence affecting the woman more and more. Doubt, quesitons, and uncertainty. Woven masterfully with Sedaiyus's own influence it was no doubt she would reveal much more than he could have ever hoped she would origionally. This was no doubt a woman of privelage here, feared, obeyed, and powerful. She acted with the expectation that Bacchus had no other choice than the one she deemed fit for him. She didn't ask, she demanded. She didn't threaten, she made sure he knew she would act if necessary. And she wanted to make sure that Bacchus understood that she was in charge, in control, and could snap him like a twig at anytime. Thus was the actions of all great beings on this plane. But when you have dealt with someone like Bacchus and Sedaiyus's mother it was hard to find any room to fear anyone else. And from what Bacchus saw he had no reason to either, the woman had acted as expected, there was little difference between her and any other highborn member of any race, obvious aspects of vampire within her as well, and the rest he didn't know he made simple guesses and tread carefully as he spun his tales of half truths and vague details.

Bacchus slowly raised his hands up in an innocent manner as to show he was not trying to offend her or decieve her. "Pardon me for upsetting you. This was certainly not my intention I promise you that and I apologize. But perhaps you have a point. Sedaiyus is deathly afraid of our mother, he has witnessed her to do many things both miraculous and horrid beyond anything he himself could imagine. Now she had expectations for him as most mothers do but Sedaiyus had very different ones for himself. She has been waiting for him to return for centuries but he is quite stubborn. She just wishes to make amends and reunite our family. But he is too scared to confront her and even hear her out. But thats I suppose where you were right, he has reason to hide from me, and he will not be so easily found. But since you can find him apparently perhaps you should in fact go to him. If what you say is true about him and you then you are perhaps one of the few people who can at least get him to listen. If nothing else, don't you have questions of your own for him? You could quell any feelings of doubt and uncertainty."

Bacchus held a charming grin as she brought up the brigade. "Oh you should know Sedaiyus, always getting into trouble. I am sure it was quite innocent but from what the stories tell he had tricked the commander of their mage division into borrowing her powers to open and close portals and wasn't strong enough to properly use it. He was responsible for releasing myself in this plane, nearly killed the mage commander in the process, and did extensive damage to the Brigade when everything spun out of his control. It was a most fortunate accident for me but they were not too pleased. They held him captive for many days, their Commander of the Fighter division was adamant about interrogating him for information. But once Sedaiyus found out their plans were to kill him when they were done, he made his escape, somehow. I have no doubt my brother was trying to seal the plane we are from off from this world so that he wouldn't have to worry about mother or me but, such power is beyond him as he soon found out. He has been hiding ever since. Sedaiyus is a risk taker and I have no doubt he doesn't take this whole brigade matter seriously at all. But it is very serious as the commander who hunts him isn't just any man of the brigade as your father came to deal with some time ago, but a troubling dragon. Sedaiyus has no idea what he has really gotten himself into. I suggest you find him quickly."

[Vlad Drăculea]

She did well to contain the anger inside of her as she felt like she was being handled - just as he claimed Sedaiyus to be guilty of. Still she felt like she needed answers now - now that he had planted the seed of doubt in her mind. Folding her hands behind her back - Virulia paced back and forth for a moment slowly as she thought about what he was saying. For once in her life she was tired of people trying to do what they thought best for her or indirectly doing what was best for someone else. For now the group of people who she had let get away from her was forgotten - their souls would be collected later when she felt more up to the task.

"You understand that I will not be divulging the location should I meet with him." she said simply - making it pretty clear that he was not to be involved. She needed to do this without spooking him though when she started asking questions he would most likely make the connection. She would have to use her mantle to cloak them from being magically tracked - she was already making the plans to shield him from something that could be potentially bad for him. There had to be a reason he ran from her - no child would abandon their parent without a good reason - a just one. "I don't care what the two of you are to him - I don't trust your intentions. I know a silver tongued snake when I see one." she said.

Virulia could not deny the next bit of information piqued her interest - but she had to wonder why he gave it so easily. That wasn't something that she would just tell anyone and especially not when the person was so adamant on protecting that person. Now that she knew that his list of enemies was so large - she knew that she would have her work cut out for her when it came to saving him. Sed deserved it though - he was the one who came to her rescue when she was lost and alone. Sedaiyus saved the small girl with nothing but rotting corpses to keep as friends from a life of loneliness for as long as she was allowed her childhood.

"If my father once met this man then perhaps I can make him see reason. His intentions were not bad - despite the outcome of the event." she said - wanting to believe that with all that she had in her. Though what did she truly know of the realm that Sed and Bacchus came from? What did she really know about Sed even? What was he? Who was he before he was her friend? There was no way out of this one and she had a feeling that soon she would be faced with admitting what she thought of Sed to his face in order to get her answers.

"Return here in a few days time and I will have your answer from him."

[Deleted]

What ever satisfaction Bacchus felt for putting this woman in the state he had was not shown openly. His motives were not clear but there was always purpose behind it, one could be sure of that. If she was to meet Sedaiyus whether she could protect him or not there was a reason beyond what Bacchus spoke for sending her. When she insisted that Bacchus would be no part of her seeing him. Bacchus grinned but nodded approvingly and replied "Of course." When Bacchus heard how she would perhaps confront the Brigade Commander to try to reason with him he knew things would turn out well for him one way or another. Bacchus only heard the rumors and saw what those he fed from saw, but from what he heard, the Commander of the Fighters Division had invested allot of time in a bit of what one might call a cold war with the Vampire King, trying to free what he thought was a prisoner, their queen and her daughter.

Bacchus also knew of his hatred for the vampire race as a whole and how dragons over all thought of them and couldn't help but wonder if this woman before him though clearly not a vampire in the traditional sense would spark something useful. Perhaps they would kill each other for all Bacchus knew, in any case, he would be there to take advantage. She spoke alloud insisting that Sedaiyus's intentions couldn't have been bad, she wanted to believe it so much. "Perhaps you are right, I cannot say for sure, its been centuries since I last saw him. But the last time we met I know he was willing to do anything good or bad to escape his responsibilities to our family. Perhaps he changed after all." She had told him to return to this same spot in a few days. Bacchus graciously bowed though his eyes never left the womans. He rose and turned to walk away casually with a prideful smirk upon his face.